SHARES in Wigan-based JJB Sport continue to be hit after news that it plans to buy discount-retail chain T J Hughes.

The City does not like the planned acquisition and shares have slumped over 14 per cent this week, to 352.5p, according to the MEN Brewin/Dolphin Index of north-west businesses.

JD Sports, of Heywood, has also suffered after it emerged it has approached Blacks Leisure over its First Sport Chain. Shares have slipped 0.74 per cent to 267.5p. It has also been a volatile week for Eccles-based engineering group L Gardner.

On the back of refinancing rumours, shares shot up 250 per cent at one point, to settle at 13.25p, a rise of just over 82 per cent. Granada shares were up again, by 1.89 per cent to 134.5p because of a possible merger with Carlton and Eurocolour shares bounced back well on the week, rising just over 27 per cent to 22.25p.

BAE Systems has slipped again, by nearly 2 per cent to 346p following profit taking after good short term perform- ance. On the week, there were 24 risers, 21 fallers and five unchanged.

Our index rose slightly, 0.84 per cent to 984.51 pushing ahead of the FTSE 100, which fell 0.39 per cent. "In a market with little direction, the MEN/ Brewin Dolphin Index managed to keep its head above water with the help of excellent rises in some of its constituents," said Brewin Dolphin's Julian Hardiman.